New International VersionWhen the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance
New Living TranslationWhen the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.
English Standard VersionNow when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off
Berean Standard BibleWhen all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.
King James BibleAnd all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
New King James VersionNow all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
New American Standard BibleAnd all the people were watching and hearing the thunder and the lightning flashes, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it all, they trembled and stood at a distance.
NASB 1995All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.
NASB 1977And all the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd all the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and the people perceived it, and they shook and stood at a distance.
Amplified BibleNow all the people witnessed the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the smoking mountain; and as they looked, the people were afraid, and they trembled [and moved backward] and stood at a [safe] distance.
Christian Standard BibleAll the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAll the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance.”
American Standard VersionAnd all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.
Contemporary English VersionThe people trembled with fear when they heard the thunder and the trumpet and saw the lightning and the smoke coming from the mountain. They stood a long way off
English Revised VersionAnd all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationAll the people heard the thunder and saw the lightning. They heard the blast of the ram's horn and saw the mountain covered with smoke. So they shook with fear and stood at a distance.
Good News TranslationWhen the people heard the thunder and the trumpet blast and saw the lightning and the smoking mountain, they trembled with fear and stood a long way off.
International Standard VersionAll the people experienced the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram's horn, and the smoking mountain. And as the people experienced it, they trembled and stood at a distance.
NET BibleAll the people were seeing the thundering and the lightning, and heard the sound of the horn, and saw the mountain smoking--and when the people saw it they trembled with fear and kept their distance.
New Heart English BibleAll the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.
World English BibleAll the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd all the people are seeing the voices, and the flames, and the sound of the horn, and the mountain smoking; and the people see, and move, and stand far off,
Young's Literal Translation And all the people are seeing the voices, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and the people see, and move, and stand afar off,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and the people feared, and they will shake, and they will stand from far off. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking: and being terrified and struck with fear, they stood afar off,
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen all the people considered the voices, and the lights, and the sound of the trumpet, and the smoking mountain. And being terrified and struck with fear, they stood at a distance,
New American BibleNow as all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the blast of the shofar and the mountain smoking, they became afraid and trembled. So they took up a position farther away
New Revised Standard VersionWhen all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd all the people observed the thunderings and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw all of this, they were afraid and they stood afar off.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd all the people saw the voices and lamps lightnings and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, and the people saw and they were afraid and they stood at a distance. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the horn, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd all the people perceived the thundering, and the flashes, and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and all the people feared and stood afar off,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Moses Comforts the People18When allthe peoplewitnessedthe thunderand lightning,the soundingof the ram’s horn,and the mountainenveloped in smoke,they trembledand stoodat a distance.19“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”…
Cross References Deuteronomy 5:22-27The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. / And when you heard the voice out of the darkness while the mountain was blazing with fire, all the heads of your tribes and your elders approached me, / and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. ...
Hebrews 12:18-21For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...
Exodus 19:16-19On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. / Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. / Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. ...
Deuteronomy 4:11-12You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. / And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.
Acts 7:38He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
2 Corinthians 3:7-9Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!
Matthew 17:5-6While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” / When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.
Revelation 1:10-17On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, / saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” / Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, ...
Psalm 68:8the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
1 Kings 19:11-13Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Ezekiel 1:24When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the roar of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings.
Job 37:1-5“At this my heart also pounds and leaps from its place. / Listen closely to the thunder of His voice and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. / He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole sky and sends it to the ends of the earth. ...
Isaiah 6:4-5At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. / Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”
Mark 9:6For they were all so terrified that Peter did not know what else to say.
Luke 9:34-35While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. / And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!”
Treasury of Scripture And all the people saw the thunder, and the lightning, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. and all Exodus 19:16-18 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people thatwas in the camp trembled… they removed Psalm 139:7,8 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? … Jeremiah 23:23Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Jump to Previous AfarAfraidDistanceFarFlashesHeardHornKeptLightningsMountMountainNoisePerceivedRemovedSmokeSmokingSoundStoodThunderThunderingsTrembledTrumpetVoiceVoicesWatchingJump to Next AfarAfraidDistanceFarFlashesHeardHornKeptLightningsMountMountainNoisePerceivedRemovedSmokeSmokingSoundStoodThunderThunderingsTrembledTrumpetVoiceVoicesWatchingExodus 20 1.The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah18.The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them21.Idolatry is forbidden23.Of what sort the altar should beWhen all the people witnessed the thunder and lightningThe phenomena of thunder and lightning are often associated with the presence and power of God in the Bible. In this context, they signify God's majesty and the seriousness of the covenant being established. The Israelites' experience at Mount Sinai is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to humankind. This event parallels other biblical instances where God's presence is accompanied by natural phenomena, such as in Psalm 18:13-14 and Revelation 4:5, emphasizing His sovereignty and might. the sounding of the ram’s horn
The ram's horn, or shofar, is a significant instrument in Jewish tradition, often used to signal important events or divine interventions. Its sound here marks the solemnity of the occasion and the divine authority of the law being given. The shofar is also used in other biblical contexts, such as the fall of Jericho inJoshua 6:4-5 and the call to repentance inJoel 2:1, symbolizing both judgment and redemption. and the mountain enveloped in smoke
The smoke enveloping the mountain is reminiscent of God's presence in the form of a cloud or smoke, as seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as the pillar of cloud inExodus 13:21-22. This imagery conveys the holiness and unapproachability of God, as well as His role as a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24). The smoke also serves as a barrier, emphasizing the separation between the divine and the human. they trembled and stood at a distance
The people's reaction of trembling and standing at a distance reflects their fear and reverence for God's overwhelming presence. This fear is a common response to divine encounters, as seen inIsaiah 6:5 andLuke 5:8, where individuals recognize their own sinfulness in the presence of a holy God. The distance they maintain underscores the need for a mediator, a role that Moses fulfills here and that ultimately points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of Israel who had been led out of Egypt by Moses and were now at Mount Sinai to receive God's commandments. 2. Mount SinaiThe mountain where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses. It is a significant place of divine revelation and covenant. 3. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to mediate the covenant at Sinai. 4. God's ManifestationThe thunder, lightning, trumpet sound, and smoke represent God's powerful and awe-inspiring presence on Mount Sinai. 5. The CovenantThe event marks the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant, where God gives His law to the people of Israel. Teaching Points The Fear of the LordThe Israelites' reaction to God's presence teaches us about the reverence and awe due to God. We should approach Him with humility and respect. God's HolinessThe manifestations at Sinai remind us of God's holiness and the seriousness of His commandments. We are called to live in obedience to His Word. Mediator RoleJust as Moses acted as a mediator between God and the people, Jesus is our mediator in the New Covenant, providing us direct access to God. The Power of God's PresenceGod's presence is both awe-inspiring and transformative. We should seek His presence in our lives, knowing it can change us profoundly. Distance and RelationshipThe Israelites stood at a distance out of fear, but through Christ, we are invited to draw near to God with confidence. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Exodus 20:18?
2.How should we respond to God's presence, as seen in Exodus 20:18?
3.What does Exodus 20:18 teach about reverence and fear of the Lord?
4.How does Exodus 20:18 connect to Hebrews 12:18-21 about God's holiness?
5.How can we apply the Israelites' reaction to our worship practices today?
6.What does the Israelites' fear reveal about their understanding of God's power?
7.How does Exodus 20:18 illustrate the Israelites' fear of God's presence?
8.Why did God choose to reveal Himself with thunder and lightning in Exodus 20:18?
9.What is the significance of the people's reaction in Exodus 20:18 for understanding divine encounters?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20?
11.What does fearing God mean?
12.What does it mean that Jesus mediates for us?
13.Does Deuteronomy 18:15-18 contradict other prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures claiming their own supreme prophetic authority?
14.How does John 12:28 reconcile with other biblical portrayals of God’s voice supposedly heard audibly by crowds?What Does Exodus 20:18 Mean When all the people witnessed- Scripture presents a real, gathered nation at Sinai: “The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain” (Deuteronomy 5:4). - God wanted everyone—not only Moses—to see His self-revelation so the covenant would rest on shared experience (Deuteronomy 4:33). - Corporate eyewitnesses eliminate any notion that the Ten Commandments were a private vision; the event stands as legal testimony for every generation (Joshua 24:22).
the thunder and lightning- These were not natural weather patterns but purposeful signs announcing the majesty of the Lawgiver (Psalm 77:18). - Thunder conveys God’s voice of authority (Job 37:2-5); lightning pictures His swift, dazzling holiness (Revelation 4:5). - Together they declare, “Our God is an awesome God” and remind us that His Word still carries undiminished power (Hebrews 12:26).
the sounding of the ram’s horn-Exodus 19:16 already prepared Israel for a “very loud blast,” a divine summons no one could ignore. - Trumpets in Scripture mark decisive interventions of God (Numbers 10:9-10;1 Thessalonians 4:16). - The shofar’s piercing call underscores that the Law is not a suggestion but a royal decree from the heavenly King (Hebrews 12:19).
and the mountain enveloped in smoke- “Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire” (Exodus 19:18). - Smoke veils the blazing holiness of God whom “no man can see and live” (Exodus 33:20). - Other covenant moments carry the same imagery: the tabernacle filled with glory so the priests could not enter (1 Kings 8:10-11;Revelation 15:8).
they trembled- Terror was the only fitting response: “So great was the sight that Moses said, ‘I am terrified and trembling’” (Hebrews 12:21). - Fear here is not crippling dread but reverent awe that recognizes sin cannot stand before perfect righteousness (Psalm 114:7). - This holy fear is commended to believers today: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
and stood at a distance- God had already set boundaries around Sinai (Exodus 19:12-13). Israel’s retreat honors that limit. - Distance underscores the gap between sinful humanity and the holy God—later bridged by Christ, who “brought us near by His blood” (Ephesians 2:13). - Even redeemed people approach with humility; the tax collector “stood at a distance” in remorse (Luke 18:13).
summaryExodus 20:18 records Israel’s collective, sensory encounter with God’s holiness immediately after receiving the Ten Commandments. Thunder, lightning, trumpet blast, and smoking mountain dramatize His unapproachable purity, leading the people to quake and keep their distance. The scene teaches that God’s Law issues from awesome sovereignty, demands reverent obedience, and exposes humanity’s need for a mediator—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who invites us to draw near while never diminishing the majesty displayed at Sinai. AT THE PEOPLE'S REQUEST, MOSES BECOMES THEIR INTERMEDIARY. (18-21) The delivery of the Ten Commandments byavoice manifestly superhuman impressed the people with an awful fear. They felt the near contact with God to be more than they could bear. Even Moses was so deeply moved that he exclaimed, "I exceedingly fear and quake" (Hebrews 12:21). The people were still more afraid, and felt compelled to withdraw to a distance, beyond the sound of the terrible voice. From Deuteronomy we learn that they retired within their tents (Deuteronomy 5:30), having first sent a deputation to Moses, with a request that he would thenceforth act as their intermediary. It pleased God to assent to this proposal; and the remainder of the Law was communicated by God to Moses, and by Moses to the Israelites. (18)And all the people saw the thunderings --i.e.,Perceived them. On the true character of the Sinaitic manifestation, see Note onExodus 19:16-20. They removed.--Moses had brought the representatives of the people as near to Sinai as possible--close to the foot of the great precipice of Ras Sufsafeh (Exodus 19:17). The wide plain of Er-Rahah allowed of a removal to a considerable distance. . . . Verses 18-21. - WITHDRAWAL OF THE PEOPLE, AND NEARER APPROACH OF MOSES TO GOD. The effect produced upon the people by the accumulated terrors of Sinai - "the thunderings and the lightnings, the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking" - the cloud, and the voice out of the cloud - was an awful and terrible fear. They could not bear the manifestation of the near presence of God; and therefore "they removed and stood afar off." It seemed to them as if, on hearing the voice of God, speaking out of the thick darkness, they must die (ver. 19). Moses, upon their expressing these feelings, comforted them with an assurance that God had shown his terrors, not for their injury, but to put his fear in their hearts (ver. 20), and allowed them to retire to a distance from the mount, while he himself "drew near unto the thick darkness where God was" (ver. 21). Verse 18. - The people saw the thunderings. The use of a specific verb for a generic one, with terms to all of which it is not, strictly speaking, applicable, is common to many writers, and is known to grammarians as zengma. "Saw" here means "perceived, witnessed." The mountain smoking. Compare Exodus 19:18. In Deuteronomy 5:23 it is said that "the mountain did burn with fire." When the people saw it, they removed. It appears, from Deuteronomy 5:23, that. before retiring, the people sent a deputation of heads of tribes and elders up to Moses in the mount, to convey to him their wishes, and suggest that he should be their intermediary with God. Moses laid their wishes before God, and was directed to give them his sanction, whereupon they withdrew to their tents ( ib, 30).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Allוְכָל־(wə·ḵāl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe peopleהָעָם֩(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockwitnessedרֹאִ֨ים(rō·’îm)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7200:To seethe thunderהַקּוֹלֹ֜ת(haq·qō·w·lōṯ)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundand lightning,הַלַּפִּידִ֗ם(hal·lap·pî·ḏim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3940:A flambeau, lamp, flamethe soundק֣וֹל(qō·wl)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundof the trumpet,הַשֹּׁפָ֔ר(haš·šō·p̄ār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7782:A cornet, curved hornand the mountainהָהָ֖ר(hā·hār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022:Mountain, hill, hill countryin smoke.עָשֵׁ֑ן(‘ā·šên)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6226:SmokingAnd when the peopleהָעָם֙(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flocksaw [this],וַיַּ֤רְא(way·yar)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To seethey trembledוַיָּנֻ֔עוּ(way·yā·nu·‘ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5128:To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totterand stoodוַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ(way·ya·‘am·ḏū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsat a distance.מֵֽרָחֹֽק׃(mê·rā·ḥōq)Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350:Remote, of place, time, precious
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OT Law: Exodus 20:18 All the people perceived the thunderings (Exo. Ex) |
